Nina Simone – Sinnerman Meaning

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Sinnerman by Nina Simone. As of this writing, Sinnerman is ranked 190.

Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” tells the story of a person desperately searching for refuge from the consequences of their actions, only to find nowhere left to hide.

The song feels fast and intense, almost like someone is running and scared. It’s about guilt, fear, and not being able to escape from what you’ve done.

In both the chorus and verses, we hear the sinnerman try to run—first to a rock, then a river, then the Lord—pleading for shelter but finding rejection everywhere. There’s a wild chase in these lines: “Please hide me,” he begs, yet every hiding place refuses him, even God, who sends him away. We can feel his panic growing; by repeating “power” over and over, it sounds like he’s shouting for help that never comes, showing us how running away doesn’t solve anything in the end.

Please enter a valid email address

That address is already in use

The security code entered was incorrect

Thanks for signing up

Simone shines a spotlight on accountability: no matter how fast we run or where we go, our choices eventually catch up with us. The real revelation is that true escape isn’t possible until we face ourselves—and maybe start praying before it’s too late.